First Mule Handle

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ykspydiefan
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First Mule Handle

#1

Post by ykspydiefan »

IMG_20210615_131344515.jpg
Finally figuring out resizing.

I had picked up a bunch of birch wood that a road crew was clearing to widen a road. I took the wood and whittled it down to walking sticks. Recently, I took one of the sticks and split it in half to make this Mule handle. It is attached with wood dowels glued in place. I did not epoxy the handles on as I would like to be able to remove them easily.

This pic is right out of the oil, when it looks best. The Mule is a Pd#1. I used a cord wrapped S45VN Mule to whittle the handle down to shape. I did use a Dremel tool for some shaping and drilled by hand. This picture can stand in the picture of my shop thread too. Nothing fancy, all hand tools and a vice.
Spyderco: Tenacious G10, Waterway, Para 3 Spy27, Pacific Salt H1, In the Mule Team Stable(Z-Max, Z-Wear, S45VN, Magnacut, SRS13/SUS405, M398, Aeb-l, 15v)
Kloeshuman
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Re: First Mule Handle

#2

Post by Kloeshuman »

I think it looks good, that's what I really like about the mule, you can really make it your own
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Bolster
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Re: First Mule Handle

#3

Post by Bolster »

Nice. I'm fascinated with front-of-handle termination shapes and this is a new one for me, I like it. I'm also curious what it would look like if that termination line were slanted to match the plunge line. Dowels for pins also clever, and as you say, straightforward to remove if you ever want/need to.

Keep on Mulein' my friend...
ykspydiefan
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Re: First Mule Handle

#4

Post by ykspydiefan »

Thanks Team,

I started with the termination line matching the plunge line. I started with too much material and took material away trying to find a good fit to my hand. Then, I knocked a big chunk off the top of the termination line and have the shape it is now. It was a fun first run and it is easy to redo. It makes me happy being into a knife handle for about $1.50 + labor. I almost put this into the Cheap and Ugly thread, but I think it looks good too.
Spyderco: Tenacious G10, Waterway, Para 3 Spy27, Pacific Salt H1, In the Mule Team Stable(Z-Max, Z-Wear, S45VN, Magnacut, SRS13/SUS405, M398, Aeb-l, 15v)
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Xplorer
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Re: First Mule Handle

#5

Post by Xplorer »

I love seeing this. Making your own Mule handle with what you've got is cool :cool: . The cheaper you can do it the better. It's definitely way too pretty to be in a cheap and ugly thread. Thank you for sharing your work.

Do you have plans for a sheath now? :)
:spyder: Spyderco fan and collector since 1991. :spyder:
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
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standy99
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Re: First Mule Handle

#6

Post by standy99 »

Great to see a handle thrown together from what’s around. You don’t need a flashy set up to get a working handle.

It’s a slippery slope from now though. My mule handle projects have seen a step up each time and a online order for one piece of equipment became several pieces
Im a vegetarian as technically cows are made of grass and water.
ykspydiefan
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Re: First Mule Handle

#7

Post by ykspydiefan »

Hello Xplorer,

I did make a sheath too. I took a slice of HDPE off an old broken toboggan and pressed it into a rough shape with a ski waxing iron. Then I shaped it, using a Mule. The trick for me was leaving enough open space at the bottom so the edge of the knife does not touch the plastic, and enough squeeze at the top to hold the knife in place. Then, I used a left over piece of seal hide leather and sewing glue to attach the leather and plastic together. A little stitching along the edge and sheath is done. I drilled a hole in the sheath to match the Spydie hole and use a leather cord to tie the works together achieving retention.

I like folders in the pocket and fixed blades in the back pack so a small and light sheath suits me well.
IMG_20210508_223647040.jpg
IMG_20210508_223556435.jpg
IMG_20210507_114032331.jpg
IMG_20210506_221929987.jpg
Spyderco: Tenacious G10, Waterway, Para 3 Spy27, Pacific Salt H1, In the Mule Team Stable(Z-Max, Z-Wear, S45VN, Magnacut, SRS13/SUS405, M398, Aeb-l, 15v)
ykspydiefan
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Posts: 489
Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 9:28 pm

Re: First Mule Handle

#8

Post by ykspydiefan »

Hello standy99,

For me, finding Spyderco was a slippery slope, and I am still slipping.

Wish you all well,

Thanks for the support.
Spyderco: Tenacious G10, Waterway, Para 3 Spy27, Pacific Salt H1, In the Mule Team Stable(Z-Max, Z-Wear, S45VN, Magnacut, SRS13/SUS405, M398, Aeb-l, 15v)
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Xplorer
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Re: First Mule Handle

#9

Post by Xplorer »

ykspydiefan wrote:
Sat Jun 26, 2021 8:29 am
Hello Xplorer,

I did make a sheath too...

I like folders in the pocket and fixed blades in the back pack so a small and light sheath suits me well.

IMG_20210508_223647040.jpgIMG_20210508_223556435.jpgIMG_20210507_114032331.jpgIMG_20210506_221929987.jpg
This is a perfect example of how motivation is all it really takes to achieve anything. It's inspiring, frankly :) . You clearly decided to "make it happen" and without having the materials most people would say they "need" to get it done, you got it done. I'm impressed! I hope other people are inspired by your efforts too.

Even though I spend a lot of time working out various ways sheaths can be carried, I'm like you in that 95% of the time I carry my fixed blade(s) in a pack as well.

Thanks again for sharing your work.
:spyder: Spyderco fan and collector since 1991. :spyder:
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
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Bolster
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Re: First Mule Handle

#10

Post by Bolster »

ykspydiefan wrote:
Sat Jun 26, 2021 8:29 am
I like folders in the pocket and fixed blades in the back pack so a small and light sheath suits me well.

Yes. That's where I net out too. I don't generally carry a fixie on my belt when hiking. It's in a side pocket of the pack.
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